The students are ready to be back in school, but we parents…

Confessions of a mom struggling to keep up with a new school year

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times

UTKellyColumn copyAaaaaah, another school year has begun!  While I am sad to see summer end, I always appreciate the structure and routine the fall semester brings.  By mid-winter, I’m over it, so, best to embrace these happy feelings now.

I feel extremely lucky that our boys receive their education in the Unionville Chadds Ford School District.  The program is top notch and nationally recognized!  Read all about their stellar academic prowess here: http://bit.ly/1sRrOmA

The only problem?

Unionville = A+

Kelly = F

Yes, you read that correctly.  I am the tarnish on the Unionville trophy.  It’s parents like me that keep us from Number 1, I’m sure.

There is just SO much to do when school starts.  It intimidates me.  Signing the slew of syllabuses (syllabi?), registering for InfoSnap  (I think that the district wide “reminder” will soon read “Dear Mrs. Hockenberry”), buying  $400,000 dollars’ worth of school supplies  (why do eighth graders need tissues? Can’t they excuse themselves and blow their noses in the bathroom for pete’s sake?)  The magazine drive?  Ummmmm, no son, you will definitely NOT be “winning the i-Pad” on that one.  Don’t get me started on the Phone Directory.  I have forgotten to get my check in on time for approximately 6 out of the 8 years we have been in the district.  If you need my info, dust off your 2008 book.

The one thing we do have down pat is SAM.  We (meaning my husband) micro-manage the hell out of our children’s grades.  There’s an app for that, ya know.  I think the icon is a helicopter pad.  But, in our defense, it is only because the pressure is on to get our kids into great colleges that we can’t afford so that all of this amazing education doesn’t go to waste…

Put me in for Saturday detention for my failing behavior, Dr. Sanville.  I could use a few hours of peace and quiet with my head on my desk.

Happy Weekend!

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5 Comments

  1. TE Resident says:

    You’re welcome Ms. Hockenberry!

    Somewhere along the way, the lines became blurred and the perspective shifted and the tax paying parents became in service to the school district instead of the other way around.

    I shuttered when I read you telling Dr. Sanville to put you in Saturday detention for your “failing behavior.” Dr. Sanville works for you Kelly. You should be evaluating his performance, not the other way around.

    I think as parents we have all forgotten this.

    How about you ask him to bring the tissues!

  2. kelly says:

    Awwww, thanks TE Resident! It IS exhausting…but, you are 100% right. Involved parents make the difference.
    Thanks for your comment! Enjoy the holiday weekend 🙂

  3. TE Resident says:

    “We micro manage the hell out of our children’s grades.”

    That’s why Unionville Chadsford is #1 Ms. Hockenberry. That’s why you’re exhausted. It’s ashame the perception is so skewed. A parent who works hard, achieves success, but feels like a failure.

    Kelly, her husband and all U-CF Parents A+
    Students A+

    The tissues? I thought the same thing!

  4. Tracy Holcomb says:

    This is awesome! I thought I was the only one that felt this way. Both my kids graduated from Unionville with wonderful educations (the younger one just this past June) that enabled them to get into great colleges, so I will say it is definitely worth it in the end. However, this past week I have been relaxing at the beach and it has crossed my mind several times exactly how much I DO NOT miss the overwhelming beginning of a school year!! So even though I often deserved a detention, I also graduated to a life of relaxation!

    • TE Resident says:

      Ms. Holcomb, Are you defending the right to feel like you deserve to suffer a detention because your exhausted from working hard to get your kids in good colleges?

      Don’t worry, no one is going to take that away from you.

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